Triangle Plastic Surgery Associates

Juan A. Ortiz, MD

Triangle Facial Plastic Surgery

Adam M. Becker, MD

FAQ - Laser Resurfacing

How does the laser skin rejuvenation work?

In the simplest sense, laser energy is delivered to the skin to stimulate a regenerative response that will result in fewer fine lines, wrinkles and more even skin texture. This can be done in a number of different ways depending on degree of sun-damage/aging and goals. After discussing your concerns and goals of treatment, Dr. Becker and his team at Glow will perform an in depth evaluation of your skin and discuss the treatment plan that would best suit your needs.

Can laser skin rejuvenation be combined with other procedures?

Absolutely. Some treatments that can be combined with laser skin rejuvenation include botulinum toxin injection, filler treatments, and even facial rejuvenation surgeries.

What is the difference between ablative and non-ablative lasers?

Ablative lasers such as CO2 and Erbium use concentrated light energy to take away skin cells. This makes them are more invasive compared to non-ablative lasers, but they produce the best clinical results when it comes to skin complexion and texture. They work to completely vaporizing the outermost layers of the skin, causing the skin to heal and reorganize while also stimulating collagen production.

Ablative lasers are great for treating visible signs of aging and the results are generally long lasting with good skin care habits after the procedure. They can also be used to treat acne scarring, pigmentation irregularities and unwanted lesions.

Non-ablative lasers are less invasive than ablative treatments and work by heating up the targeted cells without actually removing them. This process stimulates your body’s collagen production to fill in unwanted skin imperfections such as fine lines or wrinkles. Because non-ablative lasers do not resurface the skin as directly as ablative lasers, multiple treatment sessions will be necessary to achieve optimal results. However, patients benefit from almost no downtime and the risk of undesirable side effects is greatly reduced.

How long does a treatment take?

Treatment of the full face takes about 30 - 45 minutes.

How many treatments are needed and how long will benefits last?

Halo hybrid fractionated resurfacing treatments are also very long lasting, but some patients may wish to perform maintenance treatments to help maintain their results. This can range from once a year to every other year.

Microlaser peels typically last 6 – 12 months, but additional treatments can be performed as required.

Contour TRL treatments for “full-field” resurfacing are rare to repeat. Occasionally stubborn lines may benefit from an additional treatment, but this is the exception. With good skin care practices after the procedure to maintain healthy skin, the results should last for many years.

How long will it take to heal?

Halo fractionated resurfacing heal in 2-3 days with only mild redness or peeling on day 3-4. Treatments are done 3-6 weeks apart, depending on your skin type.

Microlaser peel heals in 2 – 4 days

Healing takes one week for Contour TRL full field laser resurfacing. Patients can wear makeup after 10 days.

Is the procedure painful?

The procedure is done with a very low degree of discomfort. For microlaser peel and Halo, we will apply a potent topical anesthetic ointment prior to the procedure. During the procedure, a cool air chiller will also be use for additional comfort.

When full field ablative resurfacing is done for a selected area of the face (around the eyes only for example), local anesthetic (like those used in dental procedures) is added after the topical anesthesia cream to help completely numb the area. When the entire face is treated, patients usually opt for a sedation similar to what is used in colonoscopies for maximal comfort during the procedure.

What can I expect after laser skin rejuvenation?

Patients can expect redness and swelling for a variable amount of time depending on how strong of a treatment the patient desires. Be sure to discuss this with Dr. Becker at the time of your consultation.

What is the best aftercare following laser skin rejuvenation?

Immediately after the treatment, a good facial moisturizer is important. Frequent application ensures that the treated skin stays well hydrated, which allows for the most rapid recovery. Gentle washing with non-detergent cleansers will help keep the area healing well.

Once the skin is healed, daily sunscreen is extremely important. In addition, many patients can benefit from using a prescription skin cream with hydroquinone and Vitamin A to keep their skin looking its best.